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Inauguration Day 2018

Inauguration Day 2018

The third annual Connecticut’s Kid Governor® Inauguration Day event took place at Connecticut’s Old State House on Friday, January 19th. Over 250 students, educators, elected officials, and members of the press attended the celebration in the Old State House’s historic courtroom. The day's events included the official swearing in ceremony for Megan Kasperowski of Brownstone Intermediate School in Portland as Connecticut’s second Kid Governor, as well as a celebration of the hard work and accomplishments of the other six final candidates from the 2017 Statewide Election and their classmates. Six of the final seven candidates attended the event, along with their classes. The seventh candidate, A'aliyah Grimes, was not able to attend but was represented by her fellow classmates from Clover Street School in Windsor.

The day began with an Inauguration Ceremony led by Connecticut media personality Diane Smith, with remarks from Retired Supreme Court Justice Dennis Eveleigh, Commissioner of Education Dianna Wentzell, State Representative Christie Carpino, Portland's First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield, 2017 Kid Governor Jessica Brocksom, and Executive Director of Connecticut's Old State House Sally Whipple. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill also took the podium to offer words of encouragement and congratulations before delivering the official Connecticut's Kid Governor Oath of Office to 2018 Kid Governor Megan Kasperowski. Secretary Merrill concluded by bestowing the Kid Governor sash and introducing Megan as the third Connecticut's Kid Governor.

The inauguration ceremony was followed by a media conference with the six final candidates for Connecticut’s Kid Governor who were in attendance. The student candidates answered pre-submitted questions from their fellow 5th graders from across the state of Connecticut about their platforms and experiences of running for Kid Governor. After the media conference, the students toured Connecticut’s Old State House and participated in civics activities throughout the historic capitol. The activities revolved around the three branches of government: students met Kid Governor Megan in her office, Deputy Secretary of State Scott Bates and Commissioner of Education Dianna Wentzell in one of the historic executive offices, Retired Supreme Court Justice Dennis Eveleigh in the Courtroom, State Representatives Christie Carpino and Hilda Santiago in the House of Representatives Chamber, and participated in a trivia activity led by Civics First in the Senate Chamber.

The day of celebration wrapped up with a Closing Ceremony featuring the presentation of certificates and citations for each final candidate from the offices of U. S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U. S. Senator Chris Murphy, and Secretary Merrill. The Connecticut Public Affairs Network also presented each class and candidate with a special certificate.